Lower Carwood, Cheney Longville, Shropshire

This characterful three-bedroom stone cottage and two-storey annexe occupy a quiet, rural location at the edge of Cheney Longville, a village in the heart of the south Shropshire countryside. Set within two-thirds of an acre of beautifully landscaped gardens, the location is extraordinarily peaceful and the house has far-reaching views across the undulating landscape from almost every window. The market town of Craven Arms lies three miles to the south, with a direct train line that runs south to Ludlow and Newport and north to Shrewsbury and Crewe, where connections to London can be caught.

Setting the Scene

Cheney Longville was, in 1087, known simply as Langfield. It wasn't until 1395 that it adopted its present-day name, when the bishop of Lincoln at the time, Robert de Chesney, fortified the village's manor house, Cheney Longville Castle. Now in private ownership, the 'castle' sustained serious damage during the English civil war and was subsequently rebuilt.

Lower Carwood's original stone cottage section is thought to have been built in 1809, with the later addition of a timber-clad extension and annexe increasing the total footprint to a little over 2,460 sq ft. The approach is via a private track that winds romantically through dense woodland, awash with foxgloves in the summer months, leading to a meadow and private driveway with parking for several vehicles adjacent to the house.

The Grand Tour

A bright, welcoming entrance hall catches the midday light; an inviting spot to take lunch while looking out to the garden. The main living space lies to one side of the hall, a beautifully bright room with expansive timber-framed glazing on three sides and glass doors that open directly onto the terrace. Clay tiles run underfoot and a large log-burning stove is the centrepiece of the space.

The interconnected dining room and kitchen are located in the oldest section of the house. These rooms are full of warmth and character and are replete with original details including thick beams, flagstones and solid elm floorboards; there is also a log-burning stove. The kitchen has been sensitively finished with hand-crafted cabinetry, freestanding workstations, a romantic window seat and a large Aga set into the stone hearth. In addition to storage in the kitchen, there is a pantry (plus further storage space) in the large, full-height cellar, which can be accessed via the external door.

The adjoining east-facing garden room visually connects the interior and exterior spaces and is ideally orientated to enjoy the morning light. There are lovely views from here onto the bountiful kitchen garden, where organic vegetables, herbs and flowers spill over raised beds and the rolling hills provide a bucolic backdrop.

Access to the upper storey is via the central open-tread staircase. Two bedrooms are positioned on one side, each with cleverly conceived storage space and cosy sleeping areas. The family bathroom, set centrally from the landing, has a large shower and Marmoleum flooring. Occupying the opposite side of the first floor is the main bedroom, a quiet and peaceful room with a pair of glass doors and expanses of glazing filtering the soft westerly light.

The studio/workshop annexe sits opposite the main house and provides over 900 sq ft of additional living and working space, sensitively renovated in recent years to provide a wonderfully quiet spot to listen to music, read, or an independent space for guests. The two-storey annexe has a pitched roof that creates a sense of volume and space, and expansive glazing that provides an excellent quality of natural light. The views from here are impressive and as far-reaching as Callow Tower. At the lower level there is a reception area with a large log-burning stove, as well as a shower and WC by the entrance.

The Great Outdoors 

The surrounding gardens are rich and diverse. They have been lovingly developed and maintained over several decades, with dense hedging and a variety of trees providing shade and privacy. Abundant beds of flowering perennials and swathes of wild meadowland attract a plethora of local wildlife.

The kitchen gardens offer a wide selection of organic vegetables, while apples and plums can be picked from the orchard. There is also a greenhouse and three sheds: one for potting, one for logs and the largest with a covered veranda for rainy summer evenings. Natural drainage is provided in the adjoining ditch.

Out and About

The area is renowned for the unspoiled Shropshire countryside; the Cheyney Longville Estate are custodians of much of the surrounding agricultural land. There are idyllic walks through the meadows to the River Onny, which eventually joins with the River Teme near Ludlow. The Shropshire Hills National Landscape begins just to the north of the house and provide further scope for exploration.

The surrounding towns and villages offer a good provision of daily amenities. Craven Arms is within easy reach, a lively market town with 17th-century origins. It has a good selection of shops, supermarkets and a garden centre.

For a broader selection, Shrewsbury is a 40-minute drive north or approximately 23 minutes by train. A picturesque and historic market town, it has an excellent selection of independent shops, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and boat tours along the river Severn.

There are plenty of historic sites within easy reach. Stokesay Castle, a medieval fortified manor, is nearby, as are Wilderhope Manor, Croft Castle and Parkland, and Berrington Hall; all three are managed by the National Trust.

The Welsh border is a short drive away; as a result, a wealth of dramatic landscape and characterful towns are brought into easy reach. Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park can be reached in a little over an hour by car.

There are local primary schools in several surrounding villages. Private options can be found in Shrewsbury, including Shrewsbury School and Shrewsbury High School GDST.

Direct rail services run from Craven Arms to Crewe and Hereford in approximately one hour, and to Worcester in around one hour and 20 minutes. A service also runs to Birmingham in 90 minutes.

Council Tax Band: G